Land use activities have had a significant impact on many of the tributaries within the central Bulkley River watershed. Preliminary air photo analysis has indicated that high value fish habitat has been moderately to severely impacted in a large proportion of the tributaries to the central Bulkley. Much of the habitat degradation in this part of the Bulkley River watershed is attributed to clearing vegetation to the edge of streams for agriculture and livestock uses, resulting in bank erosion and stream sedimentation. Roads, railways, residential housing and forestry activities have also contributed to degradation of the stream environments.

The purpose of this project is to assess the impact of land use activity on the fish and fish habitat of select tributaries to the central Bulkley River, and to focus habitat restoration priorities on areas where the greatest opportunities for effective rehabilitation exist.

This study encompasses streams in the Bulkley Valley between the communities of Telkwa and Houston in northwest British Columbia. Dahlie Creek, which flows through the southern part of Smithers, is also included.